U.S. wins 1st worlds in 92 years, honors Gaudreau

STOCKHOLM -- Buffalo Sabres prima guardant Tage Thompson scored the victor 2:02 into overtime, and Team USA outlasted Switzerland 1-0 successful the last of the crystal hockey satellite title astatine Avicii Arena connected Sunday.

It is the archetypal on-ice trophy for USA Hockey successful this tourney successful 92 years, aft the Americans won it successful 1933. And Sunday's triumph was emotional. As Team USA posed for its title photograph astatine halfway ice, players held up a No. 13 jersey of Johnny Gaudreau, the erstwhile NHL and USA Hockey prima guardant who died past August erstwhile helium and his brother, Matthew, were deed by an allegedly drunken and enraged operator arsenic they cycled astatine nighttime successful their location authorities of New Jersey, connected the eve of their sister Katie's wedding.

"Johnny was f------ here, watching this one," Team USA's Ryan Warsofsky, manager of the San Jose Sharks, said to his squad during his celebratory locker country code that was posted connected USA Hockey's societal media platforms. "He was up determination watching this one."

Thompson, who had 44 goals and 72 points with the Sabres this season, is hoping to polish his résumé for a spot connected the U.S. roster for the 2026 Olympics, and he's disconnected to a large start. A Team USA reserve for the 4 Nations Face-Off successful February who did not suit up, Thompson made the astir of his clip playing with a radical of young NHL forwards who either did not make, oregon person been eliminated from, the Stanley Cup playoffs.

HISTORY MADE. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 92 YEARS, TEAM USA IS BRINGING HOME THE #MENSWORLDS GOLD 🇺🇸🏆 pic.twitter.com/4qqRdIc3VF

Thompson's shot, disconnected passes from Utah Hockey Club guardant Logan Cooley and Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei, flew past the blocker of Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni, ending a melodramatic but choky rubric game. Team USA outshot Switzerland 40-25.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman capped the shutout successful the final, finishing with 25 saves a twelvemonth aft his NHL teammate, David Pastrnak led the Czech Republic to this aforesaid title.

"We did it, the hold is over," Swayman said successful a station to USA Hockey fans connected the organization's societal media platforms. "Thanks for sticking on with us. It's going to beryllium a large summer."

The Americans were besides formally awarded the rubric successful 1960 erstwhile they won the Olympic tourney and the worlds did not instrumentality place. But they hadn't won it connected the crystal successful much than 9 decades.

The Swiss played without injured prima halfway Nico Hischier, the skipper of the New Jersey Devils. After the loss, Genoni was named the tournament's MVP.

Earlier Sunday, Sweden defeated Denmark 6-2 successful the bronze medal game. Calgary Flames halfway Mikael Backlund and Minnesota Wild guardant Marcus Johansson scored 2 goals each for the hosts, marking the 2nd consecutive third-place decorativeness for Sweden. The fourth-place effect was the champion decorativeness for Denmark.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.